What Does the Dog Say?

We decide when our dogs are given access to the outdoors, what/when they eat, the toys they have, the type and location of dog beds, and which rooms of the house we share. We make the majority of decisions affecting our dogs' lives. Our dogs have very little choice. So how do we give our dogs more choice and thus more control over their lives? How do we foster our dog's agency? 

First and foremost, by pairing affection with consent. Some dogs are quite the cuddle bugs who love being snuggled up with their favorite people. Others are more aloof and prefer to be affection adjacent. "This is your dance space and this is my dance space". Johnny (Patrick Swayze), Dirty Dancing. Offer a dog a scratch on the neck and behind the ears. Stop. What does the dog do? Does the dog reposition herself and lean in for more petting? Does the dog stand still? Does the dog move away from you? What the dog does after you stop petting will tell you whether or not they consent to more petting. If your dog walks away, let them! Do not force affection onto any dog. 

Secondly, don’t force your dog to constantly meet new dogs. Just like us, some dogs are party animals who thrive on constantly making new friends. Others are more selective and find interactions tiring. It's OK if your dog only has a small group of dog friends, or even no dog friends at all. You don't have to like everyone you meet, and neither does your dog. If your dog ignores new dogs, let her! Don't encourage artificial interactions — it's OK to walk away. 

Lastly, slow your roll by letting dogs sniff on walks! Walks are hardly enough exercise for dogs. Sniffing provides mental enrichment. Sniffs are like Pokemon, your dog’s gotta collect them all! Have no particular place to be? Pretend you’re on CSI and follow the scent! You can even use access to sniffing as a reward! Your dog looks at you voluntarily? Reward her by pointing to the grass and saying, “go sniff”.

For the most part, dogs “go along to get along”. Remember, just because dogs are participating, doesn’t mean that he/she wouldn’t rather be doing something else. Observe your dog and be prepared to advocate for her. If your dog could talk, we’d want her to say, “My person always keeps me safe, gives me my space, and lets me sniff”.

Here’s an example of how to find out if a dog is enjoying how you are petting her. Notice that when I stop petting, she reaches her paw out for more petting.

Jackie Moyano#canineagency, #dogagency, #dogconsent, #canineconsent, #decisionsfordogs, #dogindependence, #petwithconsent, #letthemsniff, #letdogssniff, #dogsdontlikehugs, #dogsandhugs, #dogswhoignoreotherdogs, #silversprringmd, #silverspringdogtrainer, #silverspringdogtraining, #wheatonmddogtrainer, #wheatondogtraier, #wheatonmd, #shoplocal, #shopsmall, #womanowned, #kennsingtonmd, #kennsingtonmddogtrainer, #takomaparkdogtraining, #takomaparkmd, #metrodcdogtrainer, #washingtondcdogtrainer, #topdogtrainersilverspringmd, #topdogtrainerdc, #topdogtrainerssilverspringmd, #dogtrainersnearme, #whatdoesthefoxsay